Once I returned to the house right before twelve o’clock, Owen stood in the corridor, remaining in his work clothing, appearing exhausted yet incredibly pleased.
The moment he spotted my face, he stopped moving.
“Riley… you appear gorgeous.” His tone broke slightly. “You look precisely the way Eliana appeared on her special evening.”
He dragged me into a tight embrace, and I permitted myself to weep once more. Joyful drops on this occasion.
“I am extremely pleased with you, honey,” he muttered. “Incredibly pleased.”
Suddenly, from the edge of my vision, I spotted Kendall stepping into the far side of the corridor.
Her gaze turned sharp. “So this is the result? You allowed her to humiliate our name by wearing that inexpensive trash? Owen, every single person likely mocked her in secret. Are you aware of how sad this makes our household appear?”
Owen rotated at a slow pace, his hand squeezing firmly around my upper back to shield me. His tone sounded peaceful yet solid, similar to hard metal covered in soft cloth.
“Incorrect, Kendall. She appeared glowing this evening. She paid respect to Eliana, and I have never felt more pleased with her actions.”
Kendall let out a harsh breath, folding her hands across her chest.
